Illinois Budget 6.26.09

Friday

Jun 26, 2009 at 12:01 AMJun 26, 2009 at 4:06 AM

Illinois Budget 6.26.09

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SPRINGFIELD – When you’ve welcomed about 4,500 babies into the world during a 33-year career as an obstetrician and your license plate reads “Dr. Mom,” it’s inevitable you will run into a few of your “deliveries.” If you are Dr. Victoria Nichols-Johnson of Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine, you might also eventually teach several of them. Nichols-Johnson will retire this month after a career that bridges two generations. By Julie Kaiser of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x737346085

PENSION PAIN: State lawmakers are again trying to turn huge long-term pension debt into a short-term cash bonanza, using pension notes to essentially give the pension systems an IOU this year and free up more than $2 billion to be spent on other needs. It's a key part of the evolving plan to fill a budget hole Quinn now puts at $9 billion. A Q&A on how the notes work, why they're needed, and how they're different than what lawmakers have tried before. By Ryan Keith of the State Capitol Bureau. For use in weekend editions.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x135729321

STATE BUDGET: House and Senate lawmakers of both parties talk about why there's been no budget deal yet, how they see the next week leading into July 1 shaping up and what it will take to eventually resolve this mess. A lead-in with subheads on these key issues. By Eric Naing, Andrew Thomason and Adriana Colindres of the State Capitol Bureau. For use in weekend editions.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x135729365

FOR SUNDAY:

Doug Finke: Budget mess has Quinn in a tight spot

Tuesday marks the end of the 2009 state fiscal year. That's the year for which the state has a budget. There is no budget yet for 2010. So the state shuts down? Nah, not unless Gov. Pat Quinn orders something drastic to reinforce the notion that a tax hike is needed. Statehouse Insider for use Sunday, June 28.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1662370314

Daily:

State Briefs. News from around the state.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1686365654

ISP DIRECTOR: Jon Monken, acting director of the Illinois State Police, says in an interview he's been meeting over the past few months with members of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, who eventually will recommend whether to confirm Monken's controversial appointment. He's never been a police officer. Monken says he's received "positive feedback" in the meetings, and that he thinks it's more important for the State Police to have a good leader, rather than someone who has been a police officer. By Adriana Colindres of the State Capitol Bureau. Will be posted this evening.

Dave Bakke: State workers should be ashamed of sad state of Bloom memorial

When the Prescott Bloom state office building opened in Springfield in 1988, a small tree was planted and a plaque was placed near the entrance. They were put there in memory of 3-year-old Jennifer Bloom. Jennifer and her father, who was a state senator from Peoria, both died in a fire at their Peoria home in January 1986. But someone has cut down Jennifer’s tree. All that is left is the plaque and a stump. But this gets worse.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x998788112

ILLINOIS BUSINESS
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois_business

Tracks still the choice for ethanol transport

ROCKFORD – The more popular ethanol has become, the more it rides the nation’s rails. An estimated 70 percent of ethanol produced in the U.S. is delivered by railroad, said Kristy Moore, technical director of the Renewable Fuels Association. In 2007, the most recent year data is available, U.S. railroads moved 120,000 carloads of ethanol, according to the Association of American Railroads. By Thomas V. Bona and Sean F. Driscoll of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x998788007

If you’re too young to remember 1983, it’s difficult to comprehend just how massive Michael Jackson was as an entertainer. Before the sad spiral of plastic surgeries, child molestation allegations, sham marriages and the freak show his life became, Michael Jackson was the biggest thing in the Western Hemisphere. And he ruled 1983 like the Beatles ruled 1964, or like the Bee Gees ruled 1978.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x737345832

Sign language gatherings bond the deaf with hearing friends

SPRINGFIELD – When Cathi Blickenstaff and Erin Rachford met for the first time at a youth retreat, they had a hard time communicating. That’s because Blickenstaff is deaf and Rachford didn’t know sign language. Rachford took American Sign Language classes and then started accompanying Blickenstaff to informal Monday night restaurant dinners known as “Silent Suppers” or “Deaf Dinners.” The 5 p.m. get-togethers, held weekly at various Springfield eateries, provide opportunities to improve sign language skills and to socialize. By Kathryn Rem of the State Journal-Register. For use Sunday, June 28. To localize: Are there similar get-togethers in your area?
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois_lifestyle/x135728993

Go green: Mix your own nontoxic cleaning solutions

When consumers toss unused household chemicals and other hazardous items into the garbage, they wind up in municipal landfills, which often are not equipped to handle this kind of waste. But keeping cleaning solutions, insecticides and other items around the house has its dangers. Many household cleaning products, pest-control chemicals and lawn-care chemicals can be replaced with more natural, less toxic methods. State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/home_and_garden/x1662370266

Staind proves it's more than ballads

Staind has always been known as a rock band that produces great ballads. Or is it a ballad band that knows how to rock? The Massachusetts-based group, which formed 15 years ago and has topped the charts with hits like "So Far Away" and "Fade," has managed to appeal to all sorts of fans, from the devout heavy metal heads to the fans who are happy to sing along to the heart-wrenching love songs like "It's Been Awhile." By Danielle Hatch of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x931208369

Grand Funk Railroad focuses on giving fans what they want

When Don Brewer looks back on his life with Grand Funk Railroad, he sees 40 years of incredible highs - and plenty of lows, too. But right now, Brewer says, he's somewhere in the middle. By Danielle Hatch of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x488814867

As a generally frugal person, I am often heard claiming I cannot afford something. And we’ve all heard other people, of all income levels, mention the various things they cannot afford. We’re all starting to sound like Illinois legislators — or the governor — claiming we cannot afford things when in most cases the truth is not that we cannot afford them but that we have other priorities.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x931208314

Wood on Words: Lust isn't always all about sex

“Lust” is “a desire to gratify the senses” or “sexual desire,” even “excessive sexual desire.” As with most of the “seven deadly sins,” lust is a feeling, not an action.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/columnists/barry_wood/x1662369859

Elizabeth Davies: A mom’s recession tips for work and shopping

Moms love bragging about their garage sale finds. It’s better even than showing off the stuff you got on the Target clearance rack. The only thing that trumps it is snagging that must-have Old Navy top for $1.97 from the back of the sale heap.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/columnists/elizabeth_davies/x135728433

Editorial: Uncertainty of waiting game puts strain on agencies

Another week of waiting, worrying and hoping for the agencies that serve vulnerable populations in the state of Illinois. Another week of wondering whether people with developmental disabilities, people with alcohol and substance addictions, battered women, at-risk youth, and senior citizens will lose their safety net. Another week of politics as usual. An editorial from the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x998787925

Editorial: AG Madigan should push UIS to release records

The University of Illinois has made a disappointing and shameful decision in favor of secrecy over openness in the case of three coaches who suddenly resigned in March at the university’s Springfield branch. Attorney General Lisa Madigan should get involved in this case and ask attorneys in her office familiar with the Freedom of Information Act to educate the university on its finer points. An editorial from the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x488814727

Editorial: Rep. Roskam bringing correct approach to health reform

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton, made the media rounds last week responding to President Obama’s speech on health care reform. Roskam is a member of the U.S. House’s Ways and Means Committee, which will take up Obama’s proposal for reforming the nation’s health system. In this position, Roskam has taken the initiative in helping to shape the debate, and he makes some valid points. An editorial from Suburban Life Publications.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x135728903

The Chicago media celebrated Kerry Wood’s return to Wrigley Field with the Indians last week, but seemed mystified and aggravated by the fans’ love for Mark DeRosa. Score one for the fans. Also includes items on PGA golfer D.A. Points, Shaquille O’Neal and the new Yankee Stadium. By Matt Trowbridge of the Rockford Register Star. For use Sunday, June 28.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x998787996

Jeff Lampe: Catfish hit hard in Rock River fish kill

As the mercury rises, catfish play a more prominent role in the fishing plans of Illinois anglers. That’s why this weekend folks in Havana will celebrate whiskered bottom dwellers during the fourth annual Catfish Festival. And that’s why since Sunday folks in Rock River country have been lamenting the deaths of thousands of catfish — some huge flatheads that had lived in the rocky river for 20 years or longer.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x1662370273

ILLINI:

John Supinie is on vacation.

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